Norris hoping to plug in to Formula E with future track test

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Fresh from witnessing the action at last weekend’s Monaco E-Prix, Lando Norris openly admitted that a Formula E test drive is firmly on his radar.

And if his comments are anything to go by, the reigning F1 world champion has developed a genuine appreciation for the chaos, intensity and talent packed into Formula E’s tight street-racing world.

Before jetting off to Montreal, Norris spent last Sunday checking out the FE grid and speaking with participants, many of whom he is well acquainted with.

But far from offering the polite PR compliments often exchanged between rival categories, the McLaren driver sounded genuinely captivated by what he witnessed.

“This is the first ever [Formula E] race I’ve been to and I’m excited,” he said, while walking on the grid with David Coulthard and Karun Chandhok.

“There are a lot of guys that I know racing here and the racing’s always good to watch, always chaos, always carnage and always unpredictable – everything you want from racing.

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“I grew up with a lot of these guys or I raced with them. The level of drivers you have here is top – it’s as good as you get.

“You’re watching a series that has top class athletes, some of the best in the world – it’s something I enjoy watching and being a part of.”

That final line may be the most intriguing of all. Because Norris did not merely praise Formula E from afar – he strongly hinted that he wants to experience it from behind the wheel.

A Formula E test could be coming

The Briton revealed he has already spoken extensively with many Formula E drivers, including series champion Jake Dennis, about eventually getting seat time in one of the series’ cutting-edge electric machines.

“I was planning to do a bit of driving in a Formula E car at some point. I’ve spoken to Jake [Dennis] and a few of the other guys who’ve driven here,” he explained.

“Not everything correlates between the two [Formula 1 and Formula E] but there are always things you can learn by speaking to and listening to drivers that are at the top of this category.”

The prospect of Norris testing a Formula E car would instantly become one of the championship’s biggest crossover moments in recent years.

Norris was hardly the only high-profile F1 figure wandering Formula E’s paddock last weekend. Williams driver Carlos Sainz, Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto, and even former Red Bull boss Christian Horner all made surprise appearances across the weekend.

But while others simply visited, Norris may have quietly left Monaco with a new item added to his racing bucket list – and Formula E fans will now be watching closely to see when the F1 champion finally plugs himself in.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.